We normally guarantee free-range eggs in your Gousto boxes. However, to help stop the spread of avian flu, all UK farmers legally have to keep egg-laying hens in barns. The Food Standards Agency says it poses a very low safety risk for consumers, but as a precaution the temporary housing order will keep farmed hens away from wild birds.
These measures affect all UK retailers and producers, and mean our eggs can’t be labelled as free range right now. We’ve updated the Gousto menu and added stickers to our egg boxes to make it clear our eggs are being laid by hens temporarily housed in barns for their well being.
Animal welfare is a priority for us and we’re working with our suppliers to make sure egg-laying hens are still free to express natural behaviour in their temporary homes, including perching and roosting.
Our team is staying in touch with government departments and keeping a close eye on the situation. As soon as it’s safe, our egg-laying hens will be free to roam outdoors again, and our eggs will go back to having free-range labels.
Dated: 23rd January 2023